1. The State of the Black World Conference was phenomenal in New Orleans. You'll find pictures, updates and conversation here on our Facebook page.

2. I have to admit, while I have some criticism for our new POTUS, I disagree with the Far Right (obviously) and also the Black and White Left (sadly). I'm quite proud of Barack Obama's first 100+ days in office. From the Inauguration to his volunteer work with Black, homeless, teenage boys to the Lilly Ledbetter decision to the creation of the Women and Girls Commission to the plans to close Guantanamo Bay to his talks with the Muslim World and showing respect for the human family in a manner no other U.S. President had (really) to having Spoken Word Poetry Night at the Whitehouse (whether I was invited or not, I am not bitter! He supports the genre! ;-) to getting out into the actual D.C. community to Michelle Obama planting an organic garden in the White House to their trip to see the Queen of England and Ben's Chili Bowl in DC before that, to the G-8 Summit and sashaying through France to ensuring that he stopped in Ghana (the first nation Independent of British Colonialism in 1957) before returning home to the soon-to-be appointment of another woman and the first Latina Supreme Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor (please pronounce her name correctly, which means don't say the word "mayor" as if she is the Mayor of your City, okay? --- 'So-toe-my-your'!!).

3. I'm sorry, did I not mention that NetRoots Nation will be in Pittsburgh August 13 - 16?

4. Oh dear, did I neglect to note that the G-20 Summit will be in Pittsburgh Sept. 24 - 25?

5. And back in my own neighborhood, the Historic Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, we have embarked upon the Masterplanning process. RFP's were accepted from various firms and 26 applications were short-listed to 4. "Planning School" was enacted by the Hill Consensus Group for four consecutive Mondays, the last of which was a presentation by a couple from Fayetteville, NC who helped put together their community plan and revitalize their neighborhood. The week prior, the short-listed firms gave their presentations to the Hill Community as well as to the Masterplan Steering Committee, which consists of various elected officials and community representatives. We could have been here a long time ago but at this point, I am not complaining, just happy to be here. "And still we rise." You can follow the Historic Hill District neighborhood (personified LOL) on Twitter and on Facebook!

A Bit About Dr. Goddess

Dr. Goddess is an American and Africana Studies Scholar (yes, the 'Dr.' has an actual Ph.D.) who writes about race, class, gender and sexuality in U.S. History and in today's pop culture. She also grew up as an artist and performs a One Woman Show, gives multimedia presentations, leadership workshops and speeches for audiences young and old. Click "Meet Dr. Goddess" to meet and Book her---if you dare the Conversion!